SIERRA COUNTY GRAND JURY

Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
SIERRA COUNTY GRAND JURY
2006-2007
First out – then in
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
Final Report
July 31, 2007
The people of this State do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve
them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the
right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them
to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control
over the instruments they have created.
Mike Harris and Bud Carpenter
In the Ralph M. Brown Act, 1953
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
Table of Contents
FINAL REPORT 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2
GRAND JURY LETTER 3
JUDGE’S CHARGE TO THE JURY 4
GRAND JURY ROSTER 5
GRAND JURY CONTINUITY & HISTORY CHART 7
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 8
LAW ENFORCEMENT 10
SOLID WASTE 14
CITY OF LOYALTON 16
EDUCATION 21
APPENDIX 25
A. The Brown Act 26
B. Mountain Messenger Article- “County. Schools Confront the Price of 27
Expertise”
C. Accusation if Willful Misconduct 28
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
The Honorable William Pangman
Presiding Judge
Sierra County Superior Court
Dear Judge Pangman,
It is with honor and duty that we present to you the 2006-2007 Sierra County Grand Jury Final
Report for your consideration.
After a comprehensive review of many aspects of Sierra County government we found that, in
the main, county business is conducted transparently and professionally. There is excellent work
being done by very good people in the best interests of the citizenry of Sierra County. We
recognize with honor the employees and the volunteers who work for Sierra County.
We witnessed the political succession of three Department Heads through the electoral process.
We had the unique opportunity to interview both the current and future Department Head in the
Sheriff’s Office, the Clerk-Recorder’s Office and the Assessor’s Office. We were impressed with
the smoothness of the transition of power.
We would like to thank all the Department Heads who came and made presentations about their
departments and gave us valuable insights into the operation of County government. We
sincerely thank the staff of the Superior Court and, most importantly, we wish to thank Jan
Hamilton who was always available to provide assistance to our various questions and requests.
We want to thank Jim Curtis, County Counsel, and Larry Allen, District Attorney, for serving as
our advisors and helping us deal with aspects of our report. We wish to thank you, Judge
Pangman, for allowing us to pursue the truth without reservations and challenging us to think
critically about the issues presented to us. Finally, we want to commend the citizens who value
our County enough to submit complaints to the Grand Jury and bring important issues to our
attention. You are the heroes of democracy and we could not have written this report without
you.
Power to the people.
Sincerely,
The 2006-2007 Sierra County Grand Jury
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
Judge’s Charge to the Jury
I shall now draw your attention to a function of the Grand Jury which is separate from,
but analogous to, the conduct of inquiries into public offenses and the return of indictments
therefor. The law makes it your duty to inquire into willful or corrupt misconduct in office of
public officers of every description within the County. The same procedure should be followed
for investigation such a charge as in an ordinary criminal case, and the same rules of evidence
should be applied by the Grand Jury in their investigation and deliberations.
If willful or corrupt misconduct is shown by the evidence, the Grand Jury should return
an accusation in writing against the offending officer, who may be any officer of a district,
county, or city, including any member of the governing board of a school district. As with an
information, such an accusation may not be presented without the concurrence of a least eight
Grand Jurors, who have each been present during the presentation of all evidence relating
thereto. It must state the offense charged in ordinary and concise language, and is to be delivered
by the foreperson to the District Attorney, who will conduct the further proceedings thereon. The
main purpose of an accusation is to remove the accused person from public office. Therefore, the
misconduct charged in an accusation need not necessarily include an act which would itself
constitute a crime.
From the “First Category- Second Part: Inquiries into Misconduct in Office”
I shall now address the second, but most common, part of your duties – that (of) “civil
watchdog.”
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
2006-2007 Grand Jury
Greg Bulanti Downieville
Carl Butz Downieville
Anne Eldred** Sierraville
Donald Epperson Downieville
Kathy Freschi Calpine
Carol Iman* Sierraville
Mary Johnsen*** Downieville
Lynn McKechnie*** Sierraville
Norman Mosley Verdi
Karla Pombo Sierraville
Kenneth Sposito Calpine
Norman White Downieville
• *Resigned before end of term
• **Appointed to fill vacancy
• ***Holdover from 2005-2006
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SIERRA COUNTY GRAND JURY CONTINUITY AND ORGANIZATION CHART
Summary of Grand Jury Investigations
July 30, 2007
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Animal
X X
Control
Assessor X X X X X
Audit/
X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Finance
Bd/Supes X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Loyalton X X X X X X X X
Clerk X X X X X X X X
Counsel X X X X X X
Courts X X X X X
Probation X X X X X
D.A. X X X X X
Human
X X X X X X X X X X X X
Services
Law
X X X X X X X X X X X X X XX X X X X
Enforce
Public
X X X X X X X X X X X X
Works
Schools X X X X X X X X X X
Special
X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Districts
Treasurer X X X X X X
Solid X
Waste
Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
Board of Supervisors
The Grand Jury, as a group, interviewed the
RECOMMENDED
members of the Sierra County Board of READING-
Supervisors, with the exception of Pat Whitley. 1998-99
Individual responses to the previous Grand Jury GRAND JURY REPORT-
Report were received and reviewed by the group, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
again, with the exception of Supervisor Whitley. FINDING SUMMARY
Board meetings were attended by Grand Jury 1. SUPERVISORS WHITLEY
members in both, Downieville and Loyalton. The AND MITCHELL APPEAR TO
Supervisors have good attendance records and are BE OPERATING AS A
generally prepared to deal with the items on the POLITICAL SLATE, WHICH
agenda. LEADS TO VIOLATIONS OF
In addition to each supervisor serving on local THE RALPH M. BROWN ACT,
committees, some are also participants of the OR “BROWN ACT.”
California State Association of Counties (CSAC), 3. SUPERVISORS WHITLEY
Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC) and AND MITCHELL APPEAR TO
Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District. BE IN VIOLATION OF RULES
These rural county lobbying groups allow for a RESTRICTING EX PARTÉ
networking system with the benefit of sharing COMMUNICATION (FROM
ideas and costs for dealing with common issues ONE SIDE ONLY) WITH LAND
that are unique to rural counties. DEVELOPERS.
4. SUPERVISORS WHITLEY
AND MITCHELL ARE IN
VIOLATION OF THEIR BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS’ OWN
Findings #1­: Report Response RULES OF CONDUCT.
A majority of the Board of Supervisors did not
respond to the 2005-2006 Grand Jury report in a
timely manner.
Recommendations for Findings #1
The law requires a response within ninety (90) days of the report being issued. It can be done as
a group, or by each member individually. Compliance is recommended.
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
Findings #2- General Plan Expiration
The current Sierra County General Plan will expire in 2012.
Recommendations for Findings #2
Work on the new plan should begin soon, as the revision process to update the plan will take
considerable time.
1998-1999 Grand Jury Report
Findings #3­ Personnel
Mismanagement of personnel issues has resulted in costly lawsuits The Board should review as a
against the County. whole their own rules of conduct
and limit their actions to setting
Recommendations for Findings #3 and reviewing policy. They
The Board of Supervisors should develop a way to deal with should not be telling any other
personnel issues to insure that the personnel policy is being body in the county how it should
followed and updated or amended as necessary. A County Human run its everyday operations. The
Resources officer is recommended. Grand Jury has been greatly
impressed with the tremendous
talent and high intelligence of the
Findings #4­ Management
many professionals who supervise
Performance of individual departments could be enhanced through
the daily operations of this county
better management practices by the Board of Supervisors.
as well as their supportive staff.
Recommendations for Findings #4
The government committee should meet with department heads to
set goals, mutually agreed upon. As a follow-up, progress reports should be done on a quarterly
basis to monitor progress.
1998-1999 Grand Jury Report
Findings #5­ Conduct of Meetings
All Supervisors should make an The Board of Supervisor meetings are not always
attempt to consider the spirit of conducted in an orderly fashion. Abusive comments and
the Open Meeting Act or Brown personal attacks have been directed towards county staff
Act by forestalling any by certain Board members.
conclusions until after they have
engaged fully with the public in Recommendations for Findings #5
their open meetings. This means The Supervisors should always conduct themselves in a
that they will have to ask professional manner. The Amended and Restated Board of
questions of the participants and Supervisors Rules for the County of Sierra, Resolution 97-
express views which reflect 8
something of what has been
discussed collectively.
Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
043 that has been adopted, should be followed to provide for a more expeditious and professional
handling of public business.
1998-1999 Grand Jury Report
Findings #6­ Accusation
The 2006-2007 Grand Jury received several formal County Supervisors should not
complaints which were investigated. That resulted in an discuss anything with parties
“Accusation of Willful Misconduct” against a Supervisor. affected by their future rulings.
Recommendations for Findings #6
The Supervisors need to recognize potential conflicts of interest in the process of representing
their constituents. There are times when a recusal may be in order to avoid the appearance of
inappropriate or unfair practices. (See Recommendation #5)
Appendix:
Resolution 97-043
Accusation of Willful Misconduct
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
Law Enforcement
Law enforcement in Sierra County is the purview of the Office of the Sheriff (OS) and a
California Highway Patrol (CHP) resident patrolman on the west side of the Yuba Pass and one
on the east side of the Pass. The focus of the CHP is motor vehicle law enforcement.
The duties of the Office of the Sheriff include protection of persons and property, keeping the
peace (crime protection), and keeping the county jail. The duties also include criminal
investigation, oversight on search and rescue, being an officer of the Superior Court, and as
coroner conducting investigation of deaths.
At this time the Office of the Sheriff, a 24 hour a day business, employs the sheriff, one sergeant
and seven sworn deputies with one deputy on suspension so that his duties are taken up by
others. Additionally there are four full time correctional-communications officers working
twelve hour shifts and two part time correctional-communications officers. There is also a
secretary. In the summer months the deputies also include two boat patrol officers working the
Lakes Basin are, Jackson Meadows and Stampede Lake, and one campground patrol officer.
These three reserve deputies are seasonal and are funded through grant programs..
The reasons for investigation of the Department were normal scheduling of the Grand Jury, that
the Grand Jury is required to inspect the jail annually, and citizen complaints and inquiries.
Finding #1­ Staffing:
Historically the Sheriff’s department has had eleven sworn officers including the Sheriff and the
Undersheriff with two sergeants and seven deputies. At this time there is no Under Sheriff and
only one sergeant, but in time with promotions those positions may be filled. There are
established standards of qualification for promotion. With the resolution of the matter addressed
in Finding #2, the staffing of sworn officers may be properly tackled.
At this time the newly elected sheriff is sorting out staff to handle the work load previously done
by experienced officers who have since retired. He is also making the transition from being a
sergeant to being an elected department head. People are pitching in no matter their job
description to keep the office afloat, but supervision and training are leadership issues that need
to be addressed.
The staffing of the correctional-communications officers is of concern with individuals working
long overtime hours and with only one individual being on duty much of the time. In times of
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
emergency, the understaffing is critical and the ability to handle the crisis can be strained past
safety standards, both that of the staff and of the prisoner(s).
The training schedule of the correctional-communications officers has left two out of compliance
with state regulations.
Recommendations for Finding #1
The Sheriff needs to continue to learn his new job so that the demands become more
manageable. He needs to continue to improve his management skills. Intra-department
communication and team building is critical as are long range planning and budgeting for the
future.
The chain of command structure needs to be properly staffed with existing personnel meeting the
qualification and experience standards being better utilized. Training requirements need to be
completed on time.
Findings #2­ Suspended Officer
The previous sheriff terminated the employment of a deputy. That action for termination with
cause has wound its way through the legal system for years in a costly manner often reported in
the Mountain Messenger and the Sierra Booster. The Sierra County Board of Supervisors agreed
with the causes determined and presented by the Sheriff but decreed a change in the terms of the
punishment. The Office of the Sheriff then sued the Sierra County Board of Supervisors for
wrongful actions over matters not in their jurisdiction, but clearly in the jurisdiction of
department heads. The Board of Supervisors acquiesced on that suit so it was then sued by Mr.
Doyle. The Board also acquiesced on that suit and now the suit filed by Mr. Doyle against the
Office remains to be resolved. If it is resolved in the favor of the Office of the Sheriff, the
termination is final. If the suit is resolved in the favor of Mr. Doyle, he may opt to return to the
Office in November as an officer on probation status. The workload normally performed by the
suspended officer has been borne by the other deputies since that employment slot is officially
filled.
Recommendations for Findings #2
This issue should be resolved at the earliest possible time so that the normal rhythm and level of
the patrol element of the Office may be reestablished and the negative morale issues finally be
addressed.
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
Findings # 3­ Vehicles­
The vehicle requirement includes a patrol car for each sworn officer, two pool cars, a corrections
car, and two vehicles capable of towing patrol boats. An agreement exists between the Office of
the Sheriff and the Board of Supervisors that cars are retired at 100,000 miles. Therefore the
department needs four cars now to phase out vehicles such as those with manufacturing dates of
1991, 1995 and 1996 with over 100,000 miles. This measure is to provide reliable vehicles that
are not constantly being repaired. The newest vehicle is a 2006 model. The average cost per new
vehicle is $35,000.
Recommendations for Findings #3
A schedule and agreement to keep the vehicles current not only needs to be in place but needs to
be honored. The Board of Supervisors should review the disposition and/or retention of funds
and the Sheriff needs to increase his understanding of the allocation of available funds to allow
the updating of the vehicles and disposal of costly unreliable vehicles. Vehicle replacement
should be a fixed budgetary expense rather than a discretionary item.
Findings #4­ Funding
The Office of the Sheriff receives its operating funds from the County general fund and from
grants, $204,000 from Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and $500,000 of
unrestricted use funds, all of which are handled by the County Auditor/Finance office. Preparing
the annual budget is the responsibility of the sheriff with heavy reliance on previous budgets and
financial statements. The Sheriff is now becoming familiar with both the budget and its
ramifications. When he took office he believed that there was sufficient money to replace people
lost to retirement and for vehicle replacement. He has been derailed by the disposition of general
fund monies and his inability to tap into the $265,000 remaining unrestricted grant money.
Recommendations for Findings #4:
The Board of Supervisors should restudy the budget of the Office of the Sheriff to ensure that
sufficient funds are provided to properly staff with 6 full time dispatchers/correctional officers
immediately. The actions recommended in #3 are reiterated here.
Findings #5­ The Jail
The jail is well kept with the exercise equipment now in good repair. The air quality is not good
but that system is tied into that of the entire building and there are complaints about air
conditions throughout the building. Correcting the conditions would be building wide rather
than in just the jail.
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
Recommendations for Findings #5
None.
Findings #6­ Complaint about Prisoner Release Locations
A complaint was received noting that female prisoners are routinely transported to Nevada City
for incarceration and released there without transportation back to Sierra County. It was revealed
that any person incarcerated outside Sierra County including females, the unruly, mentally and
medically needy prisoners, are not housed in the County jail. There is no provision for the return
of any of these categories of released people to the County, nor has there been in recent history.
Recommendations for Findings #6­
The Grand Jury recommends that all individuals taken out of the county by Sheriff’s office
personnel are returned by the Sheriff’s office personnel to the Sierra County jail for release. At
the time dispatcher/corrections officer staffing has sufficient female officers, it is also
recommended that qualified females be incarcerated in the Sierra County jail.
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
Solid Waste
Introduction
The information for this report was gathered by reading the Loyalton Landfill Report of Disposal
and by interviewing the Director of Public Works, Tim Beals.
Approximately five years ago very small amounts of automotive coolant were found in test wells
used to monitor the ground water around the landfill. Thus the life expectancy of the landfill has
gone from 30+ years to possibly 5 or 10 years. Currently $62,000 per year is being set aside to
cover the costs of closing the landfill. According to Tim Beals, transport of waste is “the only
feasible option.” He stated that lining the current site or acquisition and lining of another site was
not “fiscally advantageous”, He estimated the cost of lining the current site at over $1million.
The fees charged do not cover the costs of running and maintaining the solid waste operation.
The short fall is made up by financing from the General Fund. There is a need to address this
shortfall, as well as dealing with the introduction of unaccounted for waste into the system and
handling of household hazardous waste.
Findings #1­ Cost of Operations
The fee structure does not cover the actual cost of handling solid waste.
Recommendations for Findings #1
Modify the fee structure to more closely reflect the cost of handling the different materials. There
should be more vigorous verification that the waste is actually generated by County residents.
Findings #2­ Amount of Waste
The actual amount of waste entering the landfill should be minimized.
Recommendations for Findings #2
Recycling should be maximized by encouraging the residents to recycle as much as possible.
Also, the “two cans a week” limit on household garbage should be enforced.
Findings #3­ Steps
Steps need to be taken immediately to provide solutions to our solid waste issue.
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
Recommendations for Findings #3
The Sierra County Board of Supervisors should seriously consider lining part of the current
landfill property or acquiring different property and lining it. This needs to be done very soon, as
it may take 5 to 10 years to implement a solution. The potential liabilities of relying on out of
County landfills and transportation cost increases should also be realistically considered before
deciding on that option.
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
City of Loyalton
Introduction
The focus of this report will be the operations of the Loyalton City Council. The Jury’s
investigation began in July of 2006 with the formation of a specific committee to look at the
operations of the City. The Grand Jury as a whole interviewed each member of the Loyalton City
Council. The Council members agreed that managed growth is necessary for the health of the
City. They would like to see more viable businesses within the downtown area. The council
members also acknowledged problems with water and sewer systems, and code enforcement in
the City. (More background information is available in the current version of and draft of the
Loyalton General Plan and the County’s Municipal Service Review.) In the process of this
investigation, the Grand Jury Committee for the City of Loyalton attended almost all council and
General Plan Advisory Committee meetings. The Grand Jury committee requested and received
agendas and minutes of meetings held in 2005 and 2006 and notices and minutes for future
meetings held until the end of this Grand Jury’s term in 2007. The Grand Jury found that the
requirements set forth in the Brown Act are not being properly followed. Thus, the rights of the
County’s citizens are in jeopardy. Because it is the job of the Grand Jury to make sure that the
public is fully informed regarding issues like this, the Jury initially decided to issue an interim
report on the operations of the Loyalton City Council. However, due to increased citizen
involvement, it was determined there was no need to issue the interim report.
Findings #1­Special Meetings
The Loyalton City Council holds many special meetings. While only nine were held in 2005,
fourteen were held in 2006. Unlike regular meetings, special meeting postings have been
minimal at best with notification only at City Hall. At least one meeting appeared to have not
met the 24 hour notification requirement, i.e., the meeting held on Feb. 14, 2007. These special
meetings were held on irregular days, times, and places. This required an interested citizen to
check with City Hall on a daily basis to see if a meeting had been scheduled. Because of the
lower standard of notification, the frequency, and irregularity of meeting conditions, these types
of special meetings negatively impact the public’s involvement in the process.
Recommendations for Finding #1:
The City Council should substantially reduce the number of special meetings. Instead, the
Council should schedule and hold two regular meetings per month on set days with regular
times. Those meetings should be held at the Social Hall where adequate space for public
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
involvement is available. All meeting announcements should be posted regularly in several areas
very visible to the public.
Findings #2­ Meeting Content
At these special meetings significant decisions are being made affecting the citizens of the
County. For example, almost all Loyalton General Plan decisions have been made at special
meetings. The City’s updated General Plan could have huge implications for the City and the
County. In contrast, most regular meetings are short, an hour or less, and appear to deal with
items that would be subject to little disagreement by any members of the council. However,
when controversial items come up at a regular meeting, items which have stimulated controversy
among the council members, it has been observed that the decision is apt to be postponed only to
be placed on the agenda of a “special meeting”. As these items are probably also of greater
interest to the public, this placement often results in subsequent decrease of public awareness.
This happened most notably with the special meeting called for Jan. 25, 2007, which was held at
4 PM in the office at City Hall. The City Hall office is small with no space for an audience. At
this meeting, a major decision on the tasking of the General Plan Advisory Committee was at
stake.
Recommendations for Findings #2:
The majority of City Council business should be decided at regular Council meetings, especially
all items of controversy.
Findings #3­ Public Involvement
Lack of structure during meetings makes it difficult for the public to be involved. There is no use
of microphones, and this makes it difficult for the audience to understand what is said. Few
agenda items are explained for the benefit of the public. Motions that are approved are not read
back for verification of the motion before a vote. The audience is left wondering what was
actually approved. There is a very informal atmosphere in which the council members discuss
issues among themselves. This has the effect of distancing the Council from its constituents in
the audience. It does not demonstrate a concern for the importance of the job of the council since
it excludes the audience from parts of the discussion.
Recommendations for Findings #3:
3. The atmosphere of the meetings should be more businesslike. Council members should have
name plates prominently displayed in front of them and use microphones at all times. All
motions should be read back clearly to the council and audience prior to voting. Side bar
discussions should be avoided.
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
Findings #4­ Minutes
The minutes of public meetings do not always reflect what happened during the meeting.
Accurate minutes are critical to the open meeting process.
Recommendations for Findings # 4
There should be an audio recording of all meetings.
Findings #5­ Discussion
At regular and special meetings action items have, at critical times, had little if any discussion.
There is the appearance that communications on these action items by the Council have taken
place outside of the public meeting process. For example, a five page letter dated Feb. 14 was
presented at the special meeting on Feb. 14. It was stated that the writing of this letter was
directed by the City Council. Immediately upon beginning the meeting, a motion was made to
approve the letter. There was no opportunity for discussion before the motion was made. Only
after questions and concerns were raised by the audience and after a public reading of the letter,
the motion was withdrawn. No evidence has been found of prior direction from the Council at a
public meeting to draft such a letter. This letter was intended to represent a position of the
Council on a very important matter affecting the City and the County. Additionally, the Feb. 14th
meeting was minimally noticed. Not all Council members received the meeting notice 24 hours
in advance as required by the Brown Act. A posted announcement stated the meeting was to be
held at City Hall. Due to the large public attendance the meeting was moved to the Loyalton
Social Hall.
Recommendations for Findings # 5:
The Loyalton City Council should clearly and openly conduct business as required by the Brown
Act (the open meeting law.) All City Council actions and directions should be discussed and
approved at public meetings. No public meetings should be held at City Hall due to its size.
Findings #6­ Committee Appointments
The Loyalton City Council’s formation of the Planning Advisory Committee had no guidelines
for notification or application. Various members of the committee were appointed using widely
varying standards. Several members of the Committee have significant financial interests related
to the outcome of the Committee’s work.
Recommendations for Findings #6:
The Loyalton City Council should create and institute a regular procedure for forming advisory
committees. This procedure should include proper notification, appropriate application and a fair
selection process.
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
Findings #7­ General Plan Process
Some members of the Loyalton City Council have pushed the need for speed in creating a
general plan. Questions have been raised about how this desire to rush the process could severely
affect the quality of this important document.
Recommendations for Findings #7:
The Council should consider the importance of the General Plan document. Adequate time
should be taken to insure that full community involvement and thorough investigation and
research have been done.
Findings #8­ Community Involvement in General Plan
Little effort has been put forth by the Council to elicit widespread community involvement in the
process of creating a general plan. A real estate developer, who has a substantial financial stake
in the outcome of the General Plan, stated at a Sierra County Board of Supervisors meeting that
he was “leading the Loyalton General Plan process”.
Recommendations for Findings #8:
Maximum community involvement should be actively sought. That involvement may be sought,
for example, through the use of mailers, newspaper articles, publicly placed notices and
community informational forums. People with significant financial stakes from the outcome of
the General Plan process should be considered to have a conflict of interest and be treated
accordingly.
Findings #9­ Influence
The City of Loyalton contracted with a planner who was unduly influenced by a local real estate
developer.
Recommendations for Findings #9
The City Council needs to choose and monitor contract employees more carefully.
Findings #10 – City/County
There is miscommunication and a feeling of distrust between the City of Loyalton and Sierra
County.
Recommendations for Findings #10:
Communication and trust could be enhanced by holding joint meetings of the Loyalton City
Council and the Sierra County Board of Supervisors on a regular basis.
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
Comments
Improvements in the Council meeting and planning process have been recently observed.
Council members have shown increased attention to following proper meeting requirements. The
General Plan process began to work more effectively because of greatly increased community
involvement, basically spread by word of mouth.
As an update on the General Plan process, the following was observed: the General Plan process
began in earnest with a proposal by the Sierra Valley Development Company LLC. The
Loyalton City Council formed an advisory committee with a planner in order to update the City’s
General Plan. Eventually the committee was enlarged to encompass three subcommittees that
would research the following: No change in the Land Use Element of the General Plan, small
annexation, and large annexation. The committees investigated and created presentations for
each annexation proposal. A community meeting was held to view and listen to all three
proposals. The citizens of the community overwhelming indicated support for the Small
Annexation General Plan option.
See Appendix A “The Brown Act
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
Education
Introduction:
The Sierra Plumas Joint Unified School District (SPJUSD) and the Sierra County Office of
Education (SCOE) have boards of directors made up of the same individuals; however, the
officers of those boards are not usually identical. Sierra County schools, along with many
California rural schools, are suffering a financial crisis and a steady decline in enrollment. The
funding crisis is exacerbated by the projected loss of 15% of the total budget, monies received
the last five years from the Secure Rural Schools and Roads. The enrollment decline may be
attributed to emigration of parents of school age children coupled with the influx of retirees or
second home buyers without school age children. The Grand Jury examined the actions that are
being evaluated and undertaken to adjust to this situation.
Findings #1: Funding
The Secure Rural Schools and Roads funding from the federal government has been extended for
the current year putting $950,000 of unrestricted funds into the school budget.
According to the SPJUSD business manager, the district had a reserve of approximately $1.7
million unrestricted and $437,000 in a restricted reserve fund on July 1 of the 2006/2007 school
year. The District is required to maintain a reserve of $200,000; however, the reserves basically
may be paper reserves, not necessarily cash in the bank, and those reserves will need to be
utilized in the coming years.
A Budget Crisis Committee (BCC) was formed to investigate and explore ways to help the
schools overcome the funding challenges. This committee has very effectively made
recommendations. The District board has acted on some of these recommendations already.
Recommendations for Findings #1.
Dealing with the financial crisis is well underway. This Grand Jury commends the boards, the
administration and staff and the teachers for the dedicated effort made to deal with these issues in
a thoughtful and farsighted manner. It is increasingly important that effective communication
among all involved parties be paramount in the process of funding these downsized schools.
It is the opinion of this grand jury that the committee (BCC) is kept vigorously involved and
validated by the adoption of its recommendations whenever feasible.
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
Findings #2­ Decreasing Enrollment
The decreasing enrollment from the changing demographics of the County is adversely affected
by those families that either home school or take their children to more conveniently located
schools. That trend may increase should there be much more reduction in the number of teachers
providing core curriculum subjects.
Recommendations for Findings #2:
Since schools can no longer count on continued growth in enrollment to bring in more money for
the districts they serve, ongoing creative ways of dealing with declining enrollment and
decreasing funding are required. The qualified, creative teacher utilizing technology in the small
school environment can continue to produce well prepared students. Researching and studying
successful practices in other rural schools should be done by both teachers and administrators
with increased communications between the small schools.
Findings #3­ Distance Learning
The District has been exploring distance learning as a method of offering high level instruction
despite small class size.
Recommendations for Findings #3
It is recommended that continued efforts along these lines involving the entire educational
community should be pursued.
Findings #4­ Operations
Increased efficiency of operations and reduction of operating costs is underway with the
reduction of school board members from seven to five, representing recently redrawn districts of
representation. Two vacated seats will be filled and one seat remains to be vacated to comply
with the designated areas. The SCOE and the SPJUSD will pay for one half of the health benefit
package, a reduction from c.$12,000 to $6,000, received by each board member while each
member will continue to receive $45 per SPJUSD meeting and $15 per SCOE meeting attended.
Mary Genasci has been appointed Superintendent of the SPJUSD in addition to her duties as the
elected Superintendent of the County Office of Education. She stated that this action reduces
costs by $30,000.
Recommendations for Findings #4­
The Grand Jury commends the Board for the actions taken to lower costs while maintaining or
increasing efficiency. Further reduction of board member benefits may be necessary if larger
deficits loom.
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
Findings #5­ Board Member Residency
A complaint was received by the Grand Jury questioning the residency qualification of a member
of the Boards. The basis of the residency complaint could not be substantiated; however, that
individual is no longer a board member. Furthermore, investigation shows that the manner of
determining residency is not clear or well described in current law or statute.
Recommendations for Findings #5­
School Board members have the obligation to demonstrate and be a model of honesty for the
public they serve. If the residency of any board member in the area he or she serves is in serious
doubt, that member should either immediately prove that residency beyond all doubt or resign
forthwith.
Finding #6­ Staffing
After six years, with the exception of one time only bonus incentives, a pay raise has been
approved for teachers and staff. Many of the teachers do not reside in the County and some well
qualified teachers are leaving to take better paid positions outside Sierra County. A search is on
for a certificated math teacher for the Downieville Schools and the effort is being made to keep
up the morale of seriously stretched faculty and staff. (See Appendix B)
Recommendations for Findings #6
In order to maintain an enthusiastic and capable staff, salaries and benefits must be attractive and
competitive. It is feared that the loss of capable employees may result in an increased defection
of students. Further staff reductions are inadvisable.
Findings #7­ Financial Records
There is a concern that the financial records are not as transparent as they should be with the
result that there is confusion as to where and how deficits are being shown. The confusion
extends to whether the information is reliable and consistent. Explanations about the current
reserves and conditions varied among the persons interviewed.
Recommendations for Findings #7­
The schools office needs to make sure that all the financial records and budgets are available for
review to any concerned citizen. There is the need to be proactive in clearing up misconceptions
and to take seriously any claim that misinformation is being used as a bargaining tool.
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
Findings #8­ School Attendance Review Board (SARB)
The SARB committee has not met recently. That committee consists of the District
Superintendent, a school principal, the county District Attorney, the county Probation Officer,
the Sheriff, the Director of Human Services, or their representatives. The committee looks at
absenteeism and determines an approach to be taken with students and their parents to address
that absenteeism.
Recommendations for Findings #8­
The SARB committee needs to meet frequently to ensure that students, their parents, their
teachers, the administration and county officials are all on the same page.
Findings #9­ Educational Standing
Students in the system are doing well overall. Scores on the high school exit exams are above the
State average.
Recommendations for Findings #9
This Grand Jury commends the schools, administration and boards for their dedication to the
education of their students. The Jury recognizes the tremendous progress made in the past
several years in organizing and cleaning up a financially devastating legacy.
Comments:
The prospects for continued improvement and fine educational opportunities are clearly being
addressed at this time. It cannot be over emphasized that effective communication, both top
down and bottom up, are critical components to the success of this effort. The public needs to
get involved and help to insure the success established by the dedication of those mentioned
above.
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Sierra County Grand Jury Report 2006-2007
APPENDIX
A- The Brown Act
Government Codes- Government Code Section 54950-54963
In enacting this chapter, the Legislature finds and declares that the public commissions, boards
and councils and the other public agencies in this State exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s
business. It is the intent of the law that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations
be conducted openly. The people of this State do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies
which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right
to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The
people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they
have created.
54950.5 This chapter shall be known as the Ralph M. Brown Act
B. Mountain Messenger Article, “County, Schools Confront the Price of Expertise” VOL.
154, No.3 Thursday, July 12, 2007
C. Accusation of Willful Misconduct Re: Government Code 3060-3075
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